U.S. patent application number 11/198129 was filed with the patent office on 2007-02-08 for card stiffener and insertion tool.
Invention is credited to Austin O. IV Roche, James W. Sanders.
Application Number | 20070032114 11/198129 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37718193 |
Filed Date | 2007-02-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070032114 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sanders; James W. ; et
al. |
February 8, 2007 |
Card stiffener and insertion tool
Abstract
A removable insertion tool is provided for inserting a circuit
board into a socket, wherein the insertion tool generally provides
an increased surface area for handling the circuit board and
further generally prevents a flexure of the circuit board during
insertion. The insertion tool has a generally elongate stiffening
member and laterally extending engagement member disposed at each
opposing end thereof. The engagement members are operable to
receive the circuit board, wherein the insertion tool generally
provides a removable truss for the circuit board during handling or
insertion into a socket. One or more of the engagement members and
stiffening member may comprise a groove defined therein, wherein
the groove further provides for selective engagement of the circuit
board.
Inventors: |
Sanders; James W.; (Leander,
TX) ; Roche; Austin O. IV; (Austin, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ESCHWEILER & ASSOCIATES, LLC;NATIONAL CITY BANK BUILDING
629 EUCLID AVE., SUITE 1000
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Family ID: |
37718193 |
Appl. No.: |
11/198129 |
Filed: |
August 5, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/260 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 13/629 20130101;
Y10T 29/53257 20150115; H01R 12/721 20130101; Y10T 29/5313
20150115; Y10T 29/53178 20150115; Y10T 29/53174 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
439/260 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/15 20060101
H01R013/15 |
Claims
1. An insertion tool for inserting a circuit board into a socket,
the insertion tool comprising: a generally rigid elongate
stiffening member having oppositely disposed ends thereof; and an
elongate engagement member extending generally perpendicularly from
each respective end of the elongate stiffening member, wherein a
separation distance is defined between opposing edges of the
elongate engagement members, and wherein the separation distance is
associated with a length of the circuit board, wherein each
elongate engagement member is operable to selectively engage a
respective end of the circuit board, therein generally preventing a
flexure of the circuit board.
2. The insertion tool of claim 1, wherein the separation distance
generally provides a friction fit between the circuit board and the
respective elongate engagement member.
3. The insertion tool of claim 1, wherein each elongate engagement
member comprises an engagement groove defined therein along a
length thereof, wherein each engagement groove is associated with a
thickness of the circuit board.
4. The insertion tool of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the
elongate stiffening member is substantially greater than a
thickness of the circuit board.
5. The insertion tool of claim 1, wherein each elongate engagement
member is biased toward a center of the elongate stiffening
member.
6. An insertion tool for inserting a circuit board, the insertion
tool comprising: a stiffening member having a first engagement
member and a second engagement member respectively coupled thereto
at distal ends of the stiffening member, wherein the first
engagement member and second engagement member are operable to
selectively engage the circuit board therebetween via an engagement
groove defined in each of the first engagement member and second
engagement member, and wherein the elongate stiffening member is
substantially rigid, therein generally preventing a flexure of the
circuit board.
7. The insertion tool of claim 6, wherein the stiffening member
comprises a lateral groove defined therein, wherein the lateral
groove is operable to engage the circuit board, therein further
generally preventing flexure of the circuit board.
8. The insertion tool of claim 6, wherein each engagement groove is
associated with a thickness of the circuit board, and wherein each
engagement groove is operable to slidingly engage the circuit
board.
9. The insertion tool of claim 6, wherein a distance between the
first engagement member and second engagement member associated
with a length of the circuit board.
10. An insertion means for inserting a circuit board into a socket,
wherein the insertion means is operable to selectively engage the
circuit board at opposite ends thereof, and wherein the insertion
means is operable to substantially prevent a bending of the circuit
board during an insertion of the circuit board into the socket.
11. The insertion means of claim 10, wherein the insertion means is
operable to be disengaged from the circuit board after the
insertion of the circuit board into the socket, wherein the
disengagement of the insertion means comprises a pulling of the
insertion means from the circuit board.
12. A method for inserting a circuit board into a socket, the
method comprising: engaging the circuit board with an insertion
tool, wherein the engagement comprises sliding opposing engagement
edges of the insertion tool along respective opposing edges of the
circuit board until a stiffening member of the insertion tool
contacts the circuit board; placing a plurality of contacts
associated with the circuit board in contact with the socket; and
applying a force to the insertion tool, wherein the force generally
presses the plurality of contacts into the socket, and wherein the
stiffening tool generally prevents a bending of the circuit board
during the application of the force.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising disengaging the
insertion tool from the circuit board, wherein the plurality of
contacts associated with the circuit board generally remain in the
socket.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the force is applied by
manually pressing the insertion tool with a thumb or finger.
15. A card insertion system, comprising: a thin card; a socket
associated with the thin card, wherein the socket is configured to
generally receive and retain at least a portion of the thin card
therein; and an insertion tool, wherein the insertion tool
comprises an elongate stiffening member having a first engagement
member and a second engagement member respectively coupled thereto
at distal ends of the elongate stiffening member, wherein the first
engagement member and second engagement member are operable to
selectively engage the thin card therebetween, and wherein the
elongate stiffening member is substantially rigid, therein
generally preventing the thin card from bending during the
engagement between the first and second engagement members.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the thin card comprises a
circuit board, and wherein the socket is associated with a
motherboard of an electronic system.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the electronic system comprises
a personal computer.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein the circuit board comprises a
memory module.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein one or more of the elongate
stiffening member, the first engagement member, and second
engagement member comprises a groove defined therein, wherein the
groove is operable to engage the one or more respective edges of
the card.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to devices, systems,
and methods for inserting a card into a socket, and more
particularly to devices, systems, and methods for inserting a
memory card into a memory slot.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Inserting thin cards into slots or sockets is common in many
industries. In the electronics industry, for example, a removable
circuit board is commonly electrically connected to various other
electronic components, such as a computer motherboard, through a
socket mounted on the motherboard. One common type of circuit board
is a memory module, such as a Double Date Rate--Dual In-line Memory
Module, or DDR DIMM, wherein one or more integrated circuits (ICs)
are mounted on a thin, insulative card (e.g, having a thickness on
the order of 2 mm), wherein the ICs are electrically connected to a
plurality of contacts situated along a contact portion of the card.
The plurality of contacts of the memory module may be electrically
connected to the motherboard via an insertion of the memory module
into a DIMM socket associated with the motherboard. In a
conventional application, the memory module comprises a notch in
the insulative card, wherein a locking mechanism associated with
the motherboard is operable to engage the notch and generally lock
the memory module into the DIMM socket upon a full insertion of the
memory module into the socket. Such a locking of the memory module
into the DIMM socket typically assures a reliable electrical
contact between the DIMM socket and the plurality of contacts
associated with the memory module.
[0003] Typically, a substantially large insertion force is
necessary to press a memory module into the DIMM socket, thus
generally assuring that the memory module is properly seated in the
socket, and/or that the locking mechanism engages the notch in the
card. In order to avoid damage to and/or contact with various ICs
mounted on sides of the memory module, the insertion force is
typically applied along an edge of the card that is generally
opposite the contact portion of the card. Depending on various
factors, the insertion force can be quite substantial, wherein the
insertion force may lead to a bending or flexure of the thin
insulative card during insertion. Flexure of the card can be
deleterious to various electrical interconnections associated with
the memory module, such as ball grid array (BGA) bonds between the
ICs and the card. The flexure caused by the insertion force, for
example, can lead to breakage or weakening of the bonds between the
ICs and the card, thus leading to potential failure of the card
and/or other components connected thereto.
[0004] Furthermore, since the thickness of the card is quite thin,
the insertion force can lead to physical pain and/or fatigue for a
person handling and inserting the memory module into a socket. Such
pain and/or fatigue can be greatly increased for an assembly person
assembling motherboards on a production line, wherein the assembly
person may insert hundreds of memory modules into motherboards
throughout their work shift.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need for an insertion device for
handling and inserting circuit boards, such as memory modules, into
sockets, wherein damage to the circuit boards and/or physical pain
to a handler of the circuit board is substantially reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The following presents a simplified summary in order to
provide a basic understanding of one or more aspects of the
invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the
invention, and is neither intended to identify key or critical
elements of the invention, nor to delineate the scope thereof.
Rather, the primary purpose of the summary is to present some
concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the
more detailed description that is presented later.
[0007] The present invention involves an insertion of a card, such
as an electronic circuit board or memory module, into a slot or
socket, wherein an insertion tool generally prevents deleterious
bending or flexing of the circuit board during insertion. In
accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the
insertion tool generally defines a removable truss, wherein the
truss generally prevents the circuit board from flexing during
insertion, and wherein the truss can be easily attached to, and
detached from, the circuit board, therein providing a simple and
economical means for installing circuit boards while minimizing
damage to the circuit boards.
[0008] The insertion tool of the present invention, for example,
comprises a robust stiffener coupled to a pair of engagement arms,
wherein the engagement arms are operable to slidingly engage the
circuit board, while the stiffener generally provides a rigid
support for the circuit board. The stiffener further substantially
increases a surface area to which an insertion force may be
applied, therein ameliorating stress and strain injuries to an
assembler's fingers and/or thumbs. The engagement arms, in one
example, comprise grooves operable to engage and retain the circuit
board through a frictional fit between the engagement arms and
edges of the circuit board.
[0009] A system and method for inserting circuit boards is further
provided, wherein an insertion tool is used to insert a circuit
board into a socket while minimizing a flexing of the circuit
board. The insertion tool, for example, can be used as part of an
automated assembler, wherein circuit boards are placed in the
insertion tool, and the assembler automatically applies the
insertion force to insert the circuit board into a socket. The
insertion tool may also be removed from the circuit board once
insertion is complete, in order to use the same insertion tool for
inserting another circuit board, either manually, or by other
automation.
[0010] The following description and annexed drawings set forth in
detail certain illustrative aspects and implementations of the
invention. These are indicative of only a few of the various ways
in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Other
objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description of the
invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
insertion system for inserting a circuit board into a socket, in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate respective front and bottom views
of one exemplary insertion device in accordance with the present
invention.
[0013] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate respective front and bottom views
of another exemplary insertion device in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary method for
inserting a circuit board into a socket in accordance with still
another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Accordingly, one or more implementations of the present
invention will now be described with reference to the attached
drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like
elements throughout. It should be understood that the description
of these aspects are illustrative and that they should not be taken
in a limiting sense. In the following description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth, by way of
example, in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the
present invention. It will be evident to one skilled in the art,
however, that the present invention may be practiced without these
specific details.
[0016] Referring initially to FIG. 1, an exploded perspective view
of an exemplary insertion system 100 is illustrated, wherein
several inventive aspects of the present invention will now be
discussed. The insertion system 100 comprises an insertion tool
105, a circuit board 110, and a socket 115, wherein the socket is
operable to receive and generally retain the circuit board therein.
In the present example, the circuit board 110 comprises a memory
module 120 (also called a memory card), wherein the socket 115 is
operable to selectively engage the memory card. The socket 115, for
example, further resides on, or is associated with, a motherboard
125, such as a motherboard associated with a personal computer (not
shown). It should be understood, however, that the circuit board
110 of the present invention may comprise any type of thin card or
module, whether used in conjunction with other electronic circuitry
or not, and that all such alternatives are contemplated as falling
within the scope of the present invention.
[0017] In accordance with one exemplary aspect of the present
invention, the memory module 120 comprises one or more integrated
circuits (ICs) 130 electrically coupled thereto. The one or more
ICs 130, for example, may comprise memory circuits, buffers, or any
other electronic circuitry (not shown), wherein the one or more ICs
are electrically coupled to a plurality of contacts 135 associated
with a portion 140 of the memory module 120. In the present
example, the memory module 120 comprises a Double Date Rate--Dual
In-line Memory Module, or DDR DIMM (e.g., a DDR-2 DIMM), wherein
one or more of the ICs 130 comprise a ball grid array (BGA) package
145 that is generally bonded to a surface 150 of the memory module
via a plurality of solder ball connections (not shown).
[0018] The memory module 120 of FIG. 1 is operable to be
selectively engaged and disengaged from the socket 115. In the
present example, the plurality of contacts 135 are operable to be
inserted into the socket 115, therein electrically connecting the
memory module to the motherboard 125 via the socket 115. In another
example, the circuit board 110 further comprises one or more
notches 155 defined along one or more respective edges 160 thereof,
wherein the one or more notches are associated with one or more
respective spring clamps or pivoting lever clamps 165 associated
with the socket 115. The one or more spring clamps or pivoting
lever clamps 165 are operable to selectively engage the one or more
notches 155 upon a full insertion of the plurality of contacts 135
into the socket 115, therein substantially locking the circuit
board 110 to the socket.
[0019] In order to facilitate an insertion of the circuit board 110
(e.g., the memory module 120) into the socket 115, an insertion
force 170 is applied along a length 175 of the circuit board,
wherein the plurality of contacts 135 are generally pushed or
pressed into the socket 115. Upon application of the insertion
force 170 to the circuit board 110, however, it is generally
desirable to prevent a flexure or bending of the memory module
along a plane 180 defined by the surface 150 of the circuit board.
In the case of the circuit board 110 comprising one or more BGA
packages 145, for example, deleterious bending or flexure of the
circuit board is of even greater concern, since such flexure can
lead to cracking or breaking of the solder ball connections (not
shown) associated with the one or more BGA packages.
[0020] Therefore, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, the insertion tool 105 of FIG. 1 is
operable to selectively engage the circuit board 110 in order to
generally provide a stiffening effect to the circuit board during
the insertion of the circuit board into the socket 115. In effect,
the insertion tool 105 is operable to act as a truss during
handling and insertion of the circuit board 110 into the socket
115. In one example, the insertion tool 105 is comprised of an
electrically insulative material (e.g., an injection-molded
thermoplastic), wherein a thickness 185 of the insertion tool 105
is greater than a thickness 190 of the circuit board 110, therein
providing a stiffening effect to the circuit board. Alternatively,
the insertion tool 105 may be comprised of any material, operable
to generally prevent the surface 150 of the circuit board 110 from
flexing during handling and insertion into the socket 115. The
insertion tool 105, for example, may be utilized in conjunction
with an automated, semi-automated, or manual assembly system (not
shown), wherein the circuit board 110 is inserted into the
motherboard 125 of an electronic system prior to shipment to a
customer. Alternatively, the insertion tool 105 may be used in
conjunction with an automated, semi-automated, or manual circuit
board test system (not shown), wherein the circuit board 110 is
inserted into a test fixture (not shown) via the insertion tool for
quality verification.
[0021] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate one exemplary insertion tool 200,
in front and bottom views, respectively. The insertion tool 200,
for example, comprises an elongate stiffening member 205, wherein
an elongate engagement member 210 (e.g., a first elongate
engagement member 210A and a second elongate engagement member
210B) generally extends from each end 215 of the elongate
stiffening member. Each elongate engagement member 210A and 210B
extends generally perpendicularly from the elongate stiffening
member 205, wherein a separation distance 220 is generally defined
between opposing edges 225A and 225B of the respective elongate
engagement members 210A and 210B, and wherein the separation
distance is associated with the length 175 of the circuit board 110
of FIG. 1. In one example, the separation distance 220 of FIG. 2A
is selected in order to provide a friction fit between the edges
160 of the circuit board 110 of FIG. 1 and the respective elongate
engagement member 210A and 210B.
[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention,
each elongate engagement member 210A and 210B comprises a
respective engagement groove 230A and 230B defined therein, as
illustrated in FIG. 2B, wherein each engagement groove is
associated with the thickness 190 of the circuit board 110
illustrated in FIG. 1. Each engagement groove 230A and 230B of FIG.
2B, for example, is operable to slidingly engage the circuit board
110 of FIG. 1, wherein each engagement groove generally extends
along a length 240 of each respective elongate engagement member
210A and 210B. Each engagement groove 230A and 230B may be
substantially U-shaped (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 2B), V-shaped,
or a combination thereof, such that each engagement groove is
operable to generally engage the circuit board 110.
[0023] In one example, the separation distance 220 between the
opposing edges 225A and 225B of the respective engagement members
210A and 210B varies along a length 240 of the engagement members
(e.g., one or more of the engagement members 210A and 210B are
slightly skewed from extending perpendicularly from the elongate
stiffening member 205), therein providing a varying amount of
friction against the circuit board 110 of FIG. 1. In another
alternative embodiment, the elongate engagement members 210A and
210B of FIGS. 2A and 2B are generally flexible, wherein the
elongate engagement members are biased toward one another (e.g.,
operable to act as a spring), wherein the bias is further operable
to provide a frictional engagement between the elongate engagement
members and the circuit board 110 of FIG. 1.
[0024] According to another example, the elongate stiffening member
205 of the insertion tool 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B further comprises
a curved portion 250 defined therein, wherein the curved portion is
operable to generally provide an ergonomic pressure region 255 for
the application of the insertion force F of FIG. 1 by hand, such as
by the use of one or more thumbs and/or fingers to exert the
insertion force F on the insertion tool. The insertion tool 200 may
further comprise a handle portion 260 to assist in a removal of the
insertion tool from the circuit board 110 of FIG. 1 after the
circuit board is inserted into the socket 115. The handle portion
260 of FIG. 2A, for example, may be flared or otherwise shaped,
such as to assist in a removal of the insertion tool 200 from the
circuit board.
[0025] Alternatively, the insertion tool 200 may comprise various
interconnection features (not shown), wherein the insertion tool
200 may be operably coupled to an automated machine, such as a
pick-and-place robotic assembler (not shown) via the various
interconnection features. In yet another alternative, the insertion
tool 200 may be operably coupled to a semi-automated assembly jig
(not shown), wherein one or more circuit boards 110 of FIG. 1 may
be manually loaded into one or more insertion tools coupled to the
assembly jig, and wherein the assembly jig further facilitates the
insertion of the one or more circuit boards into respective sockets
115 in either an automated or semi-automated manner.
[0026] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate another exemplary insertion tool
300, comprising many of the features of the insertion tool 200 of
FIGS. 2A and 2B. The insertion tool 300 of FIGS. 3A and 3B,
however, further comprises a stiffening member 305 having a lateral
groove 310 defined therein, wherein the groove is lateral groove is
further operable to engage the circuit board 110 of FIG. 1, therein
further generally preventing flexure of the circuit board during
insertion into the socket 115. The lateral groove 310 of FIGS. 3A
and 3B, for example, may also be U-shaped or V-shaped, an may
further be associated with the thickness 190 of the circuit board
of FIG. 1. Engagement members 315A and 315B are further provided in
FIGS. 3A and 3B, wherein the engagement members are similar to the
elongate engagement members 210A and 210B of FIGS. 2A and 2B. The
engagement members 315A and 315B, however, further comprise one or
more beveled edges 320, wherein the one or more beveled edges 320
generally provide for a greater thickness 325 of the engagement
members for greater rigidity, while generally limiting potential
interferences with various other devices associated with the
motherboard 125 of FIG. 1. One or more lengthwise edges 325
illustrated in FIG. 3B, for example, may further comprise an
alignment bevel (not shown) along the length of the insertion tool,
such that the alignment bevel generally increases a versatility of
the insertion tool 300. For example, when the insertion tool 300 is
utilized in conjunction with an automated or semi-automated
insertion system, the alignment bevel of the one or more lengthwise
edges 325 generally facilitates a guidance or alignment of the
circuit board 110 of FIG. 1 into the socket 115. Alternatively, the
top handle portion 260 may comprise an alignment bevel (not shown)
along the length thereof, such that the alignment bevel facilitates
alignment between the tool and a pick and place apparatus that
operates to pick up the tool (e.g., with the card therein), and
place the assembly into the appropriate socket on a circuit board,
for example.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary method 400 for
inserting a circuit board into a socket is illustrated, wherein
bending or flexure of the circuit board is substantially prevented
by the use of an insertion tool. While exemplary methods are
illustrated and described herein as a series of acts or events, it
will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited by
the illustrated ordering of such acts or events, as some steps may
occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other steps
apart from that shown and described herein, in accordance with the
invention. In addition, not all illustrated steps may be required
to implement a methodology in accordance with the present
invention. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the methods may be
implemented in association with the systems illustrated and
described herein as well as in association with other systems not
illustrated.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the method 400 begins with
engaging a circuit board with an insertion tool in act 405, such as
engaging the circuit board 110 illustrated in FIG. 1 with the
insertion tool 105. In one example, the opposing edges 225A and
225B of the insertion tool 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B are slid along
respective opposing edges 160 of the circuit board 110 of FIG. 1
until the stiffening member 205 of the insertion tool 200 contacts
the circuit board. In act 410 of FIG. 4, a plurality of contacts
associated with the circuit board are placed in contact with a
socket. For example, the circuit board 110 of FIG. 1 is placed
proximate to the socket 115 manually, by semi-automation, or by
automation, wherein the plurality of contacts 135 are placed in
contact with the socket 115. In act 415 of FIG. 4, a force is
applied to the insertion tool, such as by a thumb or finger,
wherein the force generally presses the plurality of contacts into
the socket, and wherein the insertion tool generally prevents a
bending of the circuit board during the application of the force.
For example, the stiffening member 205 of FIGS. 2A and 2B, in
conjunction with the engagement members 210A and 210B, generally
prevent a flexure of the circuit board 110 of FIG. 1 during the
application of force 170 thereto. Once the circuit board is
inserted into the socket, the insertion tool can be disengaged or
removed from the circuit board in act 420 of FIG. 4, or
alternatively, the insertion tool can remain coupled to the circuit
board for future use.
[0029] Although the invention has been illustrated and described
with respect to one or more implementations, alterations and/or
modifications may be made to the illustrated examples without
departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. In
particular regard to the various functions performed by the above
described components or structures (assemblies, devices, circuits,
systems, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means") used
to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless
otherwise indicated, to any component or structure which performs
the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is
functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent
to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the
herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the invention. In
addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been
disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such
feature may be combined with one or more other features of the
other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any
given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that
the terms "including", "includes", "having", "has", "with", or
variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and
the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner
similar to the term "comprising".
* * * * *